California Air Resources Board

Fuel-saving XL Hybrids upfits are now eligible for HVIP/Heavy Duty Voucher Incentive Project finding from the California Air Resources Board, XL says. The CARB decision applies to General Motors 2500 and 3500 passenger and cargo vans with XL3 hybrid upfits, making the conversions more accessible to California fleets.Read More >>

German Automaker Hit for $14.7 Billion over Its Diesel DeceitsAgreements With U.S. and California to Compensate ConsumersAnd Back Programs Supporting Zero-Emission Vehicle Technology

Volkswagen will have to spend as much as $10 billion to compensate consumers and $4.7 billion “to mitigate pollution and make investments that support zero-emission vehicle technology,” the U.S. EPA said today, “to settle allegations of cheating emissions tests and deceiving customers.” updated June 29Read More >>

The South Coast Air Quality Management District is presenting a complimentary one-hour webinar to help applicants learn about the $50 million in new Proposition 1B funding for the replacement of heavy-duty goods movement trucks and transport refrigeration units. The webinar takes place on Thursday, June 23 at 2:00pm Pacific time.Read More >>

The South Coast Air Quality Management District board has approved outlays of nearly $52 million for the agency’s Goods Movement Program under California’s Proposition 1B statute. Prop 1B funding is provided by the California Air Resources Board.

The big winner…

Upwards of $26 million of the CARB money will support the deployment of several hundred natural gas-fueled trucks – 263 of them with the super-low NOx ISL G Near Zero engine from Cummins Westport. It will also support the purchase of more than 60 hybrid replacement and zero emission replacement trucks, as well as charging infrastructure and electric TRUs – transport refrigeration units.

$15 Million for Near Zero Mixers

Irvine, Calif.-based CalPortland/Catalina Pacific is to be the standout recipient, as the firm has been designated to receive $100,000 for each of 150 trucks with the 8.9-liter ISL G NZ.

The engine was certified last year to the optional California Air Resources Board’s options NOx emissions standard of 0.02 grams per brake-horsepower hour — 90% lower than the current EPA heavy-duty engine standards (F&F, September 17).

The California Air Resources Board has awarded $23.6 million to the South Coast Air Quality Management District for electric-powered port trucks, doing so at ACT Expo 2016 in Long Beach this past Wednesday.Read More >>

New figures from the California Air Resources Board indicate that, as of the end of 2015, approximately half of the natural gas being used as a vehicle fuel in the state is bio-based RNG/renewable natural gas, aka biomethane. Only 10% of the state’s NGV fuel consumption was bio-based in 2013, rising to 22% in 2014.Read More >>

Landi Renzo USA said today that it’s secured expected California Air Resources Board certification of its natural gas-fueled version of Ford’s 6.8-liter engine for model year 2016. The V-10 powers vehicles including F650/750 series and F-53/59 chassis trucks. Landi cited engine test group GFMXE06.8BW6.Read More >>

The California Energy Commission is looking to fund light duty hydrogen vehicle fueling infrastructure projects under ARFVTP, its Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program. The agency has as much as $17.3 million under the latest solicitation, which covers capital investment in new fueling outlets as well as operation and maintenance support.

“This solicitation places a preference on hydrogen refueling stations that fill hydrogen refueling station coverage gaps and hydrogen refueling capacity gaps in California,” the agency says. CEC is working with the California Air Resources Board – making use of CARB’s CHIT, the California Hydrogen Infrastructure Tool – to determine the best locations for additional hydrogen fueling infrastructure.

CEC is hosting pre-application workshop on ARFVTP solicitation GFO-15-605 in Sacramento on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 26. Proposals are due July 15.

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Medium and heavy duty work trucks converted to plug-in hybrid electric operation by Odyne Systems have been approved for sale by the California Air Resources Board, the upfitter reported yesterday. The trucks with Remy motors and Johnson Controls lithium batteries, and Allison transmissions, are available for both newly delivered and veteran vehicles.Read More >>

The California Air Resources Board last week formally re-adopted its LCFS, the Low Carbon Fuel Standard requiring a 10% reduction by 2020 in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels used in the state.

CARB’s Mary Nichols

“The LCFS, a pillar supporting the state’s efforts to fight climate change, delivers more clean fuels for Californians, and reduces emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants,” states a release.

The National Biodiesel Board (NBB) was quick to state that its fuel has “the best carbon score among all liquid fuels.”

‘A Key Element of California’s Plans’

The agency action “builds on years of successful implementation and will continue reducing carbon emissions from the transportation sector,” CARB chair Mary Nichols said in a release.

“Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gases in the state,” Nichols said. “This program is a key element of California’s plans to enact Governor Brown’s Executive Order mandating a 50% cut in petroleum use by 2030.”

Carbon Intensity

The LCFS program requires that transportation fuels used in California meet a baseline target for carbon intensity. That target is reduced each year. If a product is above the annual carbon intensity target, the fuel incurs deficits. If a product is below that target, the fuel generates credits which may be used later for compliance, or sold to other producers who have deficits.

CARB determines carbon intensity via a life cycle analysis measuring the amount of carbon generated during the extraction, production, transportation, and combustion of a fuel. The agency notes that the LCFS program does not require use of any specific fuel, “only that regulated parties find a blend of fuels and credits that will meet the declining target each year.”

It Depends on the Source

According to NBB, the new standard affirms that biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 81% versus petroleum, giving it the best carbon score among all liquid fuels. (emphasis added: natural gas has a higher carbon intensity than the various biodiesel types, but the scores for renewable natural gas from landfills and feedlots are far lower.)

“Biodiesel is the most sustainable fuel on the planet,” NBB sustainability director Don Scott said in his organization’s release. “Low carbon alternatives can also be low cost alternatives when we use diverse supplies of renewable resources. This validates that California’s carbon reduction goals are obtainable.”

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The California Air Resources Board staff has released its report for the state’s latest round of Proposition 1B funding for clean trucking and shipping. The Goods Movement Emission Reduction Program is a key item for the agency board meeting taking place September 24-25, the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition reports.

Southern California will get the lion’s share of the latest Prop 1B funding: more than 60%. By transportation category, most of the money will be spent on cleaner trucks.

CARB staff recommends spending approximately $267 million for local agency projects within California’s four priority trade corridors:

$166.1 million for truck projects;

$69.6 million for locomotives;

$20.2 million for ships at berth/cargo handling equipment;

$10.4 million for transportation refrigeration units; and

$600,000 for harbor craft.

“Consistent with past allocations,” notes CNGVC president Tim Carmichael, 55% of the state’s Goods Movement program funding will go to projects in the South Coast Air Basin, 25% to the Central Valley, 14% to the Bay Area and 6% to San Diego region.

He’s CNGVC advised members that the CARB meeting notice and accompanying Staff Report are available on the Prop 1B program website.

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The California Air Resources Board and Calstart last week celebrated the 2,000th award under HVIP, the agency’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher program – $23,000 to Redwood Products of Chino toward the purchase of a Hino 195h hybrid vehicle.

Since its launch in 2010, CARB says, HVIP has provided more than $63 million to help California fleets statewide purchase more than 430 zero-emission trucks and buses and 1,800 hybrid trucks and buses. Funding for this program is primarily supported through California Climate Investments programs funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund using proceeds from the state’s cap-and-trade auctions.

“Thanks to California Climate Investments, which support clean transportation programs like HVIP, our communities are getting an infusion of resources that help businesses buy low-carbon vehicles, support economic growth and help clean the air – all which will pay dividends for generations to come,” CARB executive officer Richard Corey says in the agency’s release.

A Third of a 195h

The $23,000 for Redwood Products covered close to one-third of the price of a low-carbon Hino 195h hybrid truck. Redwood Products provides mulch, wood chips and other products to nurseries and the landscape industry in five western states.

HVIP provides vouchers of up to $95,000 for California purchasers and lessees of zero-emission trucks and buses, and up to $30,000 for eligible hybrid trucks and buses on a first-come, first-served basis. HVIP also provides incentives of up to $110,000 for zero-emission trucks that provide benefits to disadvantaged communities.

New CARB Funding Plan Approved

In June, CARB notes, the agency board approved a $373 million funding plan that covers all investments in advanced technologies for fiscal year 2015-16, from zero-emission heavy-duty trucks to rebates for low- and zero-emission passenger vehicles. The bulk of the $373 million – $350 million – comes through California Climate Investments.

“These low-carbon transportation investments include $200 million for light-duty vehicles and $167.5 million for heavy-duty vehicle and freight-equipment projects, including vouchers to help support the purchase of hybrid and zero-emission trucks and buses,” CARB says.

California was the first state to get Hino’s COE 195h cabover hybrid.

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California Air Resources Board Awards a $1.6 Million Grant,
The Alternative to Private Cars ‘Offers a Glimpse of the Future’

The City of Los Angeles and community partners have been awarded a $1.6 million grant by the California Air Resources Board in support of a pilot project to provide electric vehicle car-sharing options in low-income communities. California Senator (and Senate president pro-tem) Kevin de León announced the project on Friday.Read More >>

CARB Is Talking Up $373 Million for Fiscal Year 2015-2016,CEC Wants Input on How to Spend Next ARFVTP $100 Million

The California Air Resources Board today approved a $373 million funding plan covering agency investments in advanced technologies for fiscal year 2015-16, “from zero-emission heavy-duty trucks and buses to rebates for low- and zero-emission passenger vehicles.”

California State Capitol

Separately, the California Energy Commission has extended until July 15 the deadline for comments on its Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program. ARFVTP has an annual budget of approximately $100 million.

The proposed CARB budget for the annual Funding Plan for Low Carbon Transportation Investments and the Air Quality Improvement Program is up by $150 million over last year’s budget, and is subject to approval by the California legislature.

$200 Million for Light and $167.5 Million for Heavy Vehicles

“Action taken by the Board today to boost funding for clean vehicle programs is in direct response to growing demand, and the need to put more zero-emission vehicles on California’s roads and highways,” CARB chair Mary Nichols said in a release.

“This funding plan delivers clean air, less carbon pollution and provides financial incentives to allow all Californians to benefit from driving and owning the cleanest vehicles.”

CARB is proposing to invest $200 million in light-duty vehicles, with $167.5 million dedicated to heavy-duty vehicle and freight-equipment projects, including vouchers to help support the purchase of hybrid and zero-emission trucks and buses.

CEC Interested in New and Smaller Grants

Among the heavy-duty vehicle investments are three new programs, including a trade-up pilot program to transition off-road agricultural equipment to cleaner technologies. (The remaining $5.5 million is held for administrative overhead and a reserve.)

CEC wants input on new funding in support of projects which do not readily fit into current ARFVTP investment plan categories and, among other possibilities, suggestions for a solicitation limited to small grants of $150,000 or less.

California Certification Paves the Way for Retrofit Sales in All 50 States

Roush CleanTech reports California Air Resources Board certification for the retrofit of all Ford 6.8-liter engine-powered, model year 2012 to 2015 vehicles to propane autogas – and says it’s the first company to receive such approval.Read More >>

Hydrogen Advocates Want Their Share of California FundingEstimated at Some $200 Million in 2015-2016 Under AQIP & GGRF

The California Hydrogen Business Council wants help making the case for fuel cell vehicles to get their share as the California Air Resources Board plans outlays through the California Air Quality Improvement Program and Low Carbon Transportation Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund for fiscal year 2015-2016.Read More >>

Pending Proposal Could Weaken Support for Natural Gas VehiclesAs Agency Is Said to Base Its Forecasts on Outdated Technologies

A pending overhaul of California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard could mean lower ratings for natural gas vehicles as a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – and hence less support for NGVs when it comes to grants and incentives and the emerging cap-and-trade market for GHGs.